Hayhurst grounds Ironwood's region lead bid in Phoenix

For years Goldwater football relied on deception in coach Frank Lautt's run-heavy single wing offense.

This year the attack is much more direct and dizzying for opposing defenses. The 2024 Bulldogs  have picked up the pace and usually snap directly to senior "quarterback' Dylan Hayhurt and allow him to pick a hole behind a road grading offensive line.

In Friday's unlikely showdown for the 5A Northwest Valley Region lead with Ironwood, Hayhurst was simply unstoppable, churning out 330 yards and four touchdowns on 40 carries in a 44-21 Homecoming win for Goldwater (5-2, 2-0).

"We've been working on tempo more this year.," Lautt said. "Dylan is a tough kid. He's strong and works hard in the weight room."

The sixth-year Goldwater head coach, who previously led the Phoenix Alhambra program for two decades, credited the line for its constant push. Seniors Jayvion Whitt (5-9, 260), guard Chris Barton and center Mike Peters lead the front line.

All but five of the Bulldogs' 60 offensive plays were runs, with junior receiver Jayel Lozano (eight carries, 52 yards) sprinkled in just enough to keep the defense guessing.

Gearing up for the next run and trying to get an advantage off the snap while Goldwater pushed the pace led to at least eight encroachment penalties on the Ironwood (4-3, 1-1) defense.

Many of those penalties were before the snap. Add in a couple unsportsmanlike conduct fouls and the Eagles were their own second-toughest opponent, behind Hayhurst.

"We're not used to them working that fast. They definitely worked a lot quicker tonight than they usually do and that threw us off," Ironwood coach Tony Stillings said. "We had pre-snap jitters, just wanting to get off the ball quick to make a play. And it was a big game and they were excited, which added to that."

Goldwater built a 25-7 lead in the first half, as Hayhurst scored from four, four and 17 yards and added a two-point conversion run. Junior kicker Kyler Tanner added a 26-yard field goal.

Ironwood also has a standout running back operating as a quarterback. But junior KhaVontae Paul is improving as a downfield passer in the spread offenseand the Eagles leaned into that.

Sophomore running back Nick Morrow split carries with Paul early and scored a one-yard touchdown. Paul tossed catchable balls on back-to-back plays that were more than 20 yards downfield.

Both were dropped.

"We kind of thought they were going to throw a little more. But their quarterback is really good, he's special," Lautt said. "Our sophomore Dylan Sierra leads the team in tackling and Jayvion plays both sides of the ball. Our DBs are all kind of young but they don't mind hitting."

On the first offensive snap after Hayhurst's third touchdown, it was Paul's turn.

It was a designed run, but the cuts that gave the junior daylight on a 75-yard touchdown jaunt were all Paul.

"We've got some other kids that can play too and it kind of balances it out. The more he develops as a quarterback the more we can actually get opportunities for those other guys. That's what we tried to do, especially early tonight," Stillings said. "There's times, like on that 75-yard run. That was a called play we wanted to run. He just made something happen."

An Ironwood personal foul on  the final play of the first half afforded Goldwater an untimed down at the Eagles' 17.

Tanner hit a 34-yarder for a 28-14 Bulldogs lead at the break.

The visitors continued their momentum in the third quarter, driving 56 yards for a touchdown. Paul dashed for 12 to start, then made an option pitch to junior receiver Xadiel Silva, who completed an 11-yard touchdown.

Now trailing 28-21, the Eagles created a golden oppurtunity to tie. Junior cornerback Chase Tafoya recovered a fumble at the Bulldogs' 37.

But five plays later, junior linebacker William Pai help force Paul's fumble and recovered it at his own 28. He also picked off Paul in the fourth quarter.

"He's the hype guy on the team," Lautt said.

Hayhurst immediately dashed for 50 yards after the fumble. Ironwood's defense stiffened and Tanner hit a 35-yard field goal.

Goldwater put the game away on the next drive, churning out 92 yards without attempting a pass. Hayhurst finished with a two-yard touchdown.

Following Pai's pick, junior running back Gabe Smith burrowed in from a yard out to complete the scoring.

Goldwater hosts region basement dweller Avondale Agua Fria next week. Coming into this game at #20 in the 5A rankings, a win over #24 Ironwood and a loss by #19 Canyon View opens the door to a dream a bit wider.

"Watching them in the summer time during 7s and had a feeling at the beginning like, 'Eeh, it's not that good.' But they listen and improved by the end of the summer time,' Lautt said. "Then we put the pads on and it was the same worries. But they kept going. They listen to us, they're coachable and it's fun."